One of the hot ticket films at this years New York Asian Film Festival concerns a hot actor who no one will work with because he tends to actually beat up his co-stars in the fight scenes. While partying one night he meets a gangster who once was an actor and who roughs up him up when a request for an autograph turns insulting. Everyone goes back to their own lives until the actor once more beats up his co-star and they need to find a replacement. The actor thinks of the gangster and before you know it the pair have agreed to really go at it in the fight scenes. From there the film spins out as the actor tries to handle his personal life (women, blackmail) and the gangster tries to get his boss out of prison and stay alive while romancing the leading lady.

Well acted, especially by Ji Seob So as the gangster, Kang-pae, who manages to say so much without really doing anything.Its the sort of performance that will make him big in America if the film gets a big release. As for the rest,all I can say its an odd film. Despite being billed as one, this is a film that isn't really an action film. Sure the film has action, both the movie fights but also explosive violence from the gangsters doing their normal line of work(the sound of violence can be a sickening thing),but mostly this is a rambling tale of a couple of lost souls trying to find themselves. In someways I'm not sure what I make of it. Other than the plot thread of the making of the film, this film rambles around with in the lives of its characters in a directed but not particularly charted way. Its good, but at the same time its a bit too rambling since bits don't completely connect the way they should. Don't get me wrong I like the film, the final fight between the costars is bound to become iconic and Ji Seob So is absolutely amazing in I have little doubt he will become a new level of screen cool, but the film never manages to reach the great level. Its good, often very good, just not great despite its attempts.

Somewhere around 7 out of 10 I'm not sure why some people have been angling this as the next great film from Korea.

The story revolves around a egoistic rising star and a gangster who who is trying to get his boss out of jail. There path eventually cross and end up disliking each other, but the situation the actor is in makes him ask the gangster to co-star in the film with him. The Gangster agree, but in one condition, they fight for real on camera.

The character that stood out the most for me was Ji-seob So role and acting, he really does show off all his charms from him looking threatening without speaking a word while being in calm composure. While Ji-Hwan Kang did the best he can with the role he is given, unfortunately Su-hyeon Hong was just a pretty face in the movie. Watching the movie making process from the two somewhat of a rival was intriguing to watch. There is some thrown in this movie which I thought was unnecessary, but this was mostly character driven film. Even if the plot might not be solid as it should be, it is still a intriguing film to watch and is worth the time.

7/10

Movie: Rough Cut (18)

Rating: 4.5/5

After watching So Ji-sub's impressive action thriller A COMPANY MAN, I decided to watch more of his action films, and while browsing I came across this. The synopsis seemed extremely different, and this is what made me watch this film. After watching it, I can say it's a unique masterpiece from South Korea.

ROUGH CUT is a highly entertaining movie, thanks to its highly impressive action sequences, new story and the lead actors: So Ji-sub and Kang Ji-hwan. They hold the film together very well, and deliver enough of entertainment to make you remain hooked to it completely. Even emotionally, the film manages to engage you. There are certain scenes which are highly commendable.

I was seriously impressed with the film's storyline: I have never heard a story or seen a film like this before. Without adding much, I would just say that ROUGH CUT is an effective and highly impressive action film which you'll love for its originality and uniqueness apart from everything else it has.